Fan module

ABSTRACT

A fan module includes an aerofoil fan and an air duct. The aerofoil fan includes a shell defining a vent extending through two opposite ends of the shell and a fan rotatably received in the vent. The air duct is mounted on an end of the shell aligning with the vent. The air duct includes a tapered pipe and a number of latching plates mounted on the pipe. A smaller end of the pipe is located adjacent to the vent of the shell. One end of each latching plate is mounted to a bigger end of the pipe, and the other end of each latching plate is mounted to the shell.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a fan module.

2. Description of Related Art

Fans are widely used in computer systems for dissipating heat. The acceleration of the fans may be greater at one time, smaller at another time, which makes the speed of the fan changed up and down in a short time, so the fans form disordered airflow into the fan and this may cause unwanted noise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the embodiments can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the embodiments. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the views.

FIG. 1 is an exploded, isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a fan module.

FIG. 2 is an assembled view of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of FIG. 2, taken along the line of III-III.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure, including the accompanying drawings, is illustrated by way of examples and not by way of limitation. It should be noted that references to “an” or “one” embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and such references can mean “at least one.”

FIGS. 1-3 shows an exemplary embodiment of a fan module comprises an aerofoil fan 10 and two air ducts 20.

The aerofoil fan 10 comprises a shell 13 and a fan 11 rotatably installed in the shell 13. The shell 13 comprises a sleeve 130 and two end plates 131 protruding out from two opposite ends of the sleeve 130. An outer surface of the sleeve 130 forms a plurality of connecting surface 132 connected between the end plates 131. The sleeve 130 defines a circular vent 135 extending along a lengthwise direction of the sleeve 130, and the vent 135 extends through the end plates 131. The fan 11 comprises a hub 111 rotatably installed in a center of the vent 135 and a plurality of fan blades 112 mounted around the hub 111.

Each air duct 20 comprises a tapered pipe 21 and a plurality of resilient latching plates 22. The pipe 21 includes a bigger end 211 and a smaller end 212 opposite to the bigger end 211. The latching plates 22 are mounted around an outer surface of the bigger end 211, and each latching plate 22 extends toward and out of the smaller end 212. In the embodiment, a diameter of the bigger end 211 is larger than an outer diameter of the sleeve 130. A diameter of the smaller end 212 of the pipe 21 is larger than an outer diameter of the hub 111, and is less than an inner diameter of the sleeve 130.

A gradient α of an inner surface of the pipe 21 is between 20 angle and 30 angle. A preferred embodiment of the gradient α of the inner surface of the pipe 21 is 20 angle.

In assembly, the air ducts 20 are placed at two opposite ends of the aerofoil fan 10. The smaller ends 212 are located adjacent to two opposite ends of the vent 135, between the sleeve 130 and the hub 111. The bigger ends 212 are far away from two opposite ends of the vent 135. Each smaller end 212 is spaced from the corresponding end plate 131. The latching plates 22 are engaged with the connecting surfaces 132 of the shell 13.

The air ducts 20 can reduce disordered airflow into the aerofoil fan 10, and reduce instantaneous pressure changes of the airflow at an air outlet of the aerofoil fan 10, to thereby reduce noise of the aerofoil fan 10.

In another embodiment, the latching plates 22 are attached to the corresponding connecting surfaces 132 with glue.

While the disclosure describes examples and embodiments, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited thereto. To the contrary, the disclosure is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements as would be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A fan module, comprising: an aerofoil fan comprising a shell defining a vent extending through two opposite ends of the shell and a fan rotatably received in the vent; and an air duct mounted on an end of the shell aligning with the vent, wherein the air duct comprises a tapered pipe and a plurality of latching plates, a smaller end of the pipe is located adjacent to the vent of the shell, a bigger end of the pipe is located far away from the vent of the shell, one end of each latching plate is mounted to the bigger end of the pipe, and the other end of each latching plate is mounted to the shell.
 2. The fan module of claim 1, wherein the shell comprise a sleeve, the vent extends along a lengthwise direction of the sleeve, the fan comprises a hub rotatably located in a center of the vent and a plurality of fan blades mounted around the hub, the smaller end of the air duct is located between the sleeve and the hub.
 3. The fan module of claim 2, wherein a diameter of the bigger end of the pipe is larger than an outer diameter of the sleeve, a diameter of the smaller end of the pipe is larger than an outer diameter of the hub, and the diameter of the smaller end of the pipe is less than an inner diameter of the sleeve.
 4. The fan module of claim 2, wherein the gradient of an inner surface of the pipe is between 20 angle and 30 angle.
 5. The fan module of claim 2, wherein the shell further comprise two end plates protruding out from two opposite ends of the sleeve, the vent extends through the end plates, an outer surface of the sleeve forms a plurality of connecting surfaces connected between the end plates, the latching plates are mounted on the connecting surfaces.
 6. The fan module of claim 5, wherein the latching plates are attached into the corresponding connecting surfaces with glue.
 7. The fan module of claim 1, wherein each latching plate is resilient. 